On Saturday, Donald Trump expressed his ambition to "open Cuba to our people," aiming to make it easier for Cuban Americans to return to the island. While dismissing immediate military intervention, he emphasized the pursuit of a negotiated agreement with Havana.
"Cuba is failing disastrously. We want to help Cuba. We want to open Cuba to our people. We have amazing Cuban Americans who want to return," the president stated to reporters at the White House, responding to inquiries about military preparations in the region.
These comments came a day after CBS News disclosed that the U.S. Army Reserve had instructed its leaders to assess the readiness of six unit types—medical, military police, engineering, and logistics—for the Southern Command within 90 to 120 days.
Multiple sources clarified that the internal document doesn't directly reference Cuba and doesn't constitute an order for deployment, but rather a contingency plan.
A Preference for Diplomacy
Although Trump did not entirely rule out the use of force—consistent with his usual stance of keeping all options open—he made it clear that his preference is for a diplomatic resolution: "I don't think we need to resort to military means."
This statement comes amid a week of heightened rhetoric. Last Tuesday, at the United Nations General Assembly, Trump described Cuba as a "failed state" that "will fall," asserting that "freedom will come to Cuba," prompting the Cuban delegation to walk out during his speech.
Diplomatic Tensions and Sanctions
During the same event, Trump mentioned that Secretary of State Marco Rubio "continues negotiating with Cuba," a claim that Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla strongly refuted: "There are no negotiations," he declared in September.
Rubio has spearheaded a sanctions campaign that, since January 2026, has seen more than two dozen rounds targeting Cuban entities and officials in sectors like nickel, energy, medical missions, the GAESA business conglomerate, and the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
On September 17, Rubio announced sanctions against eight entities and three individuals linked to Cuba's military and nickel sector, and on September 24, he suggested openness to working with regime figures during a potential political transition.
Cuban Resistance and International Reactions
The Cuban government, meanwhile, has maintained a stance of defiance, repeatedly declaring its commitment to defending its sovereignty "to the last consequences," including through armed resistance against any intervention threats.
According to Reuters, Trump's remarks this Saturday mark the most conciliatory tone he has publicly adopted regarding Cuba in weeks, though economic pressure and military options remain on the table.
Understanding U.S.-Cuba Relations and Policy Implications
What is Donald Trump's stance on military intervention in Cuba?
Donald Trump has not completely ruled out military intervention in Cuba but has expressed a preference for a negotiated agreement with the Cuban government.
What has Marco Rubio's role been in U.S.-Cuba policy?
Marco Rubio has led a campaign imposing sanctions on Cuban entities and officials, with over two dozen rounds since January 2026, targeting various sectors including the military and nickel industries.
How has the Cuban government responded to U.S. policies?
The Cuban regime has consistently asserted its intention to defend its sovereignty, even through armed resistance, in response to U.S. pressure and the threat of intervention.